Everything you need to know about traveling to Japan this year
Natalie B Compton
Washington Post – Japan’s tourism industry is back – like it really is. Since Japan reopened its borders in October, the number of foreign tourists has grown exponentially and the country is now on track to receive 20 million tourists this year, according to statistics from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO).
“Once Japan reopens, it’s going to explode,” said Catherine Hield, chief executive of Remote Lands, an Asia-focused luxury tour operator.
Kathie Callum, sales director at adventure travel company Oku Japan, said their sales hit a new record, matching or exceeding 2019 levels. “Demand that has been pent up for three years is surfacing.”
Midori Matsumoto, a spokeswoman for the JNTO, said some Japanese travel agencies had to turn away clients interested in spring travel because of the high volume of bookings. The surge in demand will continue well beyond the busy cherry blossom season in spring, and international tourists should plan accordingly.
“I can’t predict the future, but I recommend booking anything in advance, such as tours, popular restaurants, museums, theme parks, etc,” Matsumoto said in an email.
Where to go outside of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto
Most people are looking for classic Japanese travel experiences like getting lost in a maze of skyscrapers in Tokyo; visiting temples and experiencing a tea ceremony in Kyoto; and exploring street food in Osaka. “Of course, they want to see the classics,” said Jeffrey M Krevitt, vice president of marketing for Inside Travel Group, which owns InsideJapan Tours. “If it’s your first time in Japan, of course you have to go to Tokyo and Kyoto,” Hield said. “But then add a site or two that’s off the beaten path.” Here are some options.
For the Food Scene – Hokkaido
While Tokyo is the city with the most Michelin stars in the world, the president and CEO of Tokyo-based luxury travel company Luxurique Naomi Mano sends tourists to Japan’s northernmost prefecture for incredible food — especially seafood and Sapporo Flavored ramen. “The reason people go there is because the food is great,” Mano said.
Look at the Japanese countryside – Shikoku
The smallest of Japan’s main islands is “almost like a secret place where you can see the great outdoors and traditional life,” Krevitt said of Shikoku. Hield sends nature lovers to the island, home to Dogo Onsen, one of Japan’s oldest onsen resorts.
If you want a beach – Okinawa
Okinawa has some of the best beaches and scuba diving opportunities in Japan, Mano said. A closer option to Tokyo is Hachijo Island, accessible by boat or 50 minutes by plane. “You can soak your feet in the hot springs and watch whales,” she said. “No one really knows about it.”
Book accommodation and dining in advance
No matter where you plan to go, lock down your accommodation as early as possible. With foreigners pouring back into Japan and the country experiencing a shortage of hospitality workers, it can be difficult to find accommodations for your travel dates, Callum and Heald said. This is especially true during busy travel periods.
Competition for smaller lodging options such as ryokans (traditional inns), hot spring resorts and temple lodgings has increased. Still, Callum encourages travelers to include these traditional hotels in their trips, even if just for a few nights, for “a great lodging experience that can only be found in Japan.” Weekends may not be possible in some places, but you might consider staying on weekdays as there are fewer domestic tourists.
The same advice applies to other parts of your trip. Don’t let your plans come to naught, book restaurants, tea ceremonies and sporting events.
“If there’s anything that you absolutely want to have as part of your experience … I would definitely recommend booking it in advance as well,” Callum said.
How to Get Around: Subway and Japan Rail Pass
The best way to see Japan is by using its world-famous train system, from the Tokyo subway to long-distance trains. Train etiquette in Japan is very different from New York City or Amtrak, so brush up on train etiquette before boarding.
For those planning to visit more than one city, consider purchasing a Japan Rail (JR) pass before heading out. Check the prices of any individual train tickets you might buy, as well as the costs of different passes, to see if it’s a good deal.
Exclusively for foreign visitors, these passes are available in 7-day, 14-day or 21-day increments and can be purchased online or at JR’s designated overseas sales offices or agents. This is not a one-size-fits-all situation. Callum recommends researching different regional rail passes.
The JR Pass does not cover subways and trams within the city. Buying a subway day pass can make your life in Tokyo easier. For about $6, you can get a Tokyo Metro ticket for unlimited rides on Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines for the day. Two- and three-day tickets cost only a few dollars more.
Hot topics in 2023: Theme parks and forests
Crewitt said more and more clients are asking about “forest bathing,” the Japanese practice of “immersing in the atmosphere of the forest.”
Forest bathing involves “walking through the forest and experiencing it in a very purposeful way,” he said. “It’s just a feeling of rejuvenation and refreshment.” Krevitt’s picks for forest bathing destinations include the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route; the Shin-Etsu Trail; the woods around Japan’s ancient capital of Nara; and Kyoto’s Arashiyama.
But, says Luxurique’s Mano, “there are plenty of places where you can go forest bathing”. Her first choice is the islands of Kyushu and Yakushima in Kagoshima Prefecture, one-fifth of which are registered world natural heritage sites. The island and its ancient cedar trees can be reached by jet boat, ferry or 40 minutes by plane.
Visitors can also take a forest bath at the new 494-acre Park Ghibli attraction, which features recreated sets from 14 classic films produced by the Studio Ghibli animation company. Located a few hours southwest of Tokyo, the park was built around an existing public space to minimize environmental harm.
Japan, on the other hand, recently opened Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, which has been described as an escape from the natural world into video games.